Computer-implemented systems utilizing sensor networks for sensing temperature and motion environmental parameters; and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Computer-implemented systems utilizing sensor networks for sensing temperature and motion environmental parameters, and performing at least operations of electronically establishing, based on pattern recognition criteria, correspondence of a plurality of representative features a plurality of characteristics of an occurrence, where a first instance of the occurrence occurred within a first time period of a plurality of time periods; electronically discovering, based on the correspondence, a second instance of the occurrence in an environment during a second time period of the plurality of time periods; and electronically causing, based on the discovery of the second instance of the occurrence, a change in the environment via an electronically-controlled device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Related Application(s)”) (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications), and incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of the following listed application(s); the present application also claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from, and also incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)”.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/909,200, filed entitled DISCOVERY OF OCCURRENCE-DATA, naming Edward K. Y. Jung and Clarence T. Tegreene as inventors, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 9,261,383.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/909,200, constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,692, filed Jul. 30, 2004, entitled AGGREGATION AND RETRIEVAL OF NETWORK SENSOR DATA, naming Edward K. Y. Jung and Clarence T. Tegreene as inventors, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,457,834.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/909,200, constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,652, filed Jul. 30, 2004, entitled AGGREGATION AND RETRIEVAL OF NETWORK SENSOR DATA, naming Edward K. Y. Jung and Clarence T. Tegreene as inventors, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,388.

BACKGROUND

The present era of computing has introduced an array of small devices that perform a variety of specific functions. Cellular phones, pagers and portable digital assistants are common examples of these. As technology progresses, however, devices will continue to become smaller and more specialized. One class of small device that is beginning to emerge is a tiny, sensor, sometimes known as a “mote” that is often implemented in a networked configuration.

Networked sensor nodes, sometimes referred to as sensor devices, are undergoing significant advances in structure and low power technology. In some applications, sensor nodes may utilize micro-electromechanical systems, or MEMS, technology. Sensor nodes may include more than one component, such as an embedded processor, digital storage, power source, a transceiver, and an array of sensors, environmental detectors, and/or actuators. In some cases, sensor nodes may rely on small batteries, solar-powered cell, or ambient energy for power, and run for long periods of time without maintenance.

Communication characteristics of nodes may be determined by physical design characteristics and intended use scenarios or both. In some applications, sensor nodes may act as a data source, and it may also forward data from other sensors that are out of range of a central station.

The practical applications of such mini-devices range from environmental monitoring to micro-robots capable of performing microscopic scale tasks. While functionality of an individual sensor node may be limited, a grouping of nodes working together can accomplish a range of tasks, including high level tasks. The tasks of a grouping may include operations such as general information gathering, security, industrial monitoring, military reconnaissance, or biomedical monitoring.

The integration of computation, storage, communication, and physical interaction in silicon has shrunk some sensor nodes down to microscopic scales. The ability to create sensors and actuators with IC technology and integrate them with computational logic has created an abundance of low-power, tiny sensor nodes. Combining these tiny sensor nodes with low power wireless communication networks aids in developing economical, distributed sensors networks. The number of sensor nodes used in a network is increasing as their cost decreases and functionality increases. As a result, the sheer volume of data created by sensor networks, particularly distributed sensor networks, is rapidly increasing.

SUMMARY

An embodiment provides an occurrence-data retrieval system. The system includes a data storage operable to store a plurality of instances of occurrence-data, each instance of the occurrence-data having a representative feature, a central computing device operable to communicate with the data storage, and instructions that cause a computing device to perform steps. The steps include receive from an input-selector an input selection corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, and select a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to the representative feature of the target-occurrence. The steps also include automatically search the plurality of instances of stored occurrence-data for data correlating to the target-occurrence using the selected pattern recognition criteria, and provide an output indicative of a result of the automatic search. The input-selector may include an individual user. The pattern recognition criteria may be automatically selected in response to input selection corresponding to the target-occurrence.

The input selection may further include a representative feature of the target-occurrence. The representative feature may include a time period. The representative feature may include acoustic frequency components. The representative feature may include a frequency pattern. The frequency pattern may include at least one selected from a group consisting of a recognized word, a set of words, a breaking glass, a dog bark, a door opening, an alarm, a threshold acoustic level, and a voiceprint. The representative feature may include an electromagnetic pattern. The electromagnetic pattern may include at least one selected from a group consisting of a visible light, an infrared light, an ultraviolet light, and a radar. The recognition criteria may be automatically selected in response to the selected representative feature. The automatic search instruction may include using the pattern recognition criteria selected in response to the inputted representative feature. The instruction to provide an output may include provide an instance of the correlating occurrence-data. The correlating occurrence-data provided may include a segment of the correlating occurrence-data. The instruction to provide an output may include provide a degraded representation of an instance of the correlating occurrence-data. The instruction to provide an output may include provide an instance of non-correlating occurrence-data. The non-correlating occurrence-data provided may include a degraded representation of the non-correlating occurrence-data. The occurrence-data may include sensor data generated by a plurality of networked remote sensor devices. The instructions may include protect the plurality of instances of occurrence-data stored in the data storage from unauthorized access. The data storage may include a digital data storage device. Each instance of occurrence-data may include a data sequence, and the data sequence may include a chronological data sequence.

Another embodiment provides an occurrence-data retrieval system. The system includes a computing device operable to communicate with a data storage device. The data storage device is operable to store a plurality of instances of occurrence-data from remote data storages. Each instance of occurrence-data including a representative feature sensed respectively by a device associated with the remote data storage. The system also includes an information security measure that protects instances of occurrence-data stored in the data storage device from unauthorized access, and instructions, which when implemented in a computing device, cause the computing device to perform steps. The steps include receive from an input-selector an input selection corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, a recipient selection, and a tendered access authorization. In response to the tendered access authorization, determine if at least one of the input-selector and recipient have an access right. Also, automatically select a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to at least one representative feature of the target-occurrence, and in response to the input selection corresponding to the target-occurrence, automatically search the plurality of instances of occurrence-data stored in the data storage device for data correlating to the target-occurrence using the selected pattern recognition criteria. If at least one of the input-selector and recipient have an access right, provide an output indicative of a result of the automatic search to the recipient.

The input-selector may include an individual user. The input-selector and the recipient may be a same party. The recipient may be an individual user. The information security measure may be associated with the data storage device. The information security measure may include an application associated with the computing device. The data storage device may include at least one device selected from a group consisting of a local data storage device and a remote data storage device. The data storage device may include a portable digital data storage device. The instruction to provide an output indicative of a result may include provide the correlating occurrence-data to the recipient. The steps of the instructions may include receive a redaction selection, and a tender of a redaction authorization, and determine if a redaction right is possessed. In response to the redaction selection and a determination that a redaction right is possessed, redact an instance of the plurality of instances of occurrence-data from the data storage device. The redaction selection may be received from at least one of the input-selector and the recipient. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may not correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature.

A further embodiment provides an occurrence-data retrieval system. The system includes a computing device operable to communicate with a data storage device. The data storage device is operable to store a plurality of instances of occurrence-data from remote data storages. Each instance of occurrence-data having a representative feature sensed respectively by a device associated with the remote data storage. The system also includes an information security measure that protects instances of occurrence-data stored in the data storage device from unauthorized access, and instructions that cause a computing device to perform steps. The steps include receive from a redaction-selector a redaction selection corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, and a tender of a redaction authorization. In response to the tendered redaction authorization, determine if the redaction-selector possess a redaction right. Automatically select a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to the representative feature of the target-occurrence, and automatically search the plurality of instances of occurrence-data stored in the data storage device for data correlating to the target-occurrence using the selected pattern recognition criteria. If the redaction-selector possesses a redaction right, redact an instance of the plurality of instances of occurrence-data from the data storage device. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may not correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature. The instructions may include computer program instructions.

An embodiment provides a method implemented in a computing device. The method includes receiving an input selection from an input-selector, the input selection corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, and selecting a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to the representative feature of the target-occurrence. In response to the input selection corresponding to the target-occurrence, automatically searching a plurality of instances of occurrence-data stored in a data storage device for data correlating to the target-occurrence representative feature using the selected pattern recognition criteria. Each instance of the occurrence-data includes a representative feature. Also, provide an output indicative of the search results. The pattern recognition criteria may be automatically selected in response to the target-occurrence. The input selection may include selection of a representative feature of the target-occurrence. The pattern recognition criteria may be automatically selected in response to the input-selector selected representative feature. The automatically searching step may use the pattern recognition criteria selected in response to the input-selector selected representative feature.

The providing an output may include providing an instance of the correlating occurrence-data. The provided instance of correlating occurrence-data may include a degraded representation of the correlating occurrence-data. Alternatively, the provided instance of correlating occurrence-data may include all data associated with the correlating occurrence. The provided correlating occurrence-data may include a segment of the correlating occurrence-data. The providing an output may include providing an instance of non-correlating occurrence-data. The instance of correlating occurrence-data may include a degraded representation of the non-correlating occurrence-data. The occurrence-data may include sensor data generated by a plurality of networked sensor devices.

Another embodiment provides a method implemented in a computing device. The method includes receiving from an input-selector an input selection corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, and selecting a filter corresponding to the representative feature of the target-occurrence. Also, using the selected filter, automatically filtering a plurality of instances of occurrence-data stored in a data set for data correlating to the target-occurrence representative feature, each instance of the occurrence-data having a representative feature. The method includes providing an output responsive to the filtering. The providing an output may include providing an instance of occurrence-data correlating to a target-occurrence representative feature, and may include storing the instance of occurrence-data correlating to a target-occurrence representative feature. The providing an output may include providing an instance of occurrence-data not correlating to a target-occurrence representative feature, and may include storing the instance of occurrence-data not correlating to a target-occurrence representative feature.

A further embodiment provides a method. The method includes inputting a selection to a computing device corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, and inputting a selection to the computing device corresponding to a plurality of instances of occurrence-data obtained from remote data storages. Each instance of the occurrence-data includes a representative feature sensed respectively by a device associated with the remote data storage. In response to the input selection, receiving an instance of occurrence-data correlating to the target-occurrence from the computing device. The plurality of instances of occurrence-data may be stored in a data storage device local to the computing device. The received instance of occurrence-data may include a feature correlating to a target-occurrence representative feature automatically selected by the computing device. The input selection corresponding to the target-occurrence may include selection of a representative feature of the target-occurrence. The received instance of occurrence-data may include an instance of occurrence-data having a feature correlating to the selected target-occurrence representative feature.

An embodiment provides a method implemented in a computing device. The method includes receiving an input selection from an input-selector, the input selection corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, a recipient selection, and a tendered access authorization. In response to the tendered access authorization, determining if at least one of the input-selector and the recipient possess an access right to a plurality of instances of stored occurrence-data protected by an information security measure. Each instance of occurrence-data originating from remote data storages, having a representative feature sensed respectively by a device associated with the remote data storage, and respectively correlating to an occurrence. Also, automatically selecting a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to the representative feature of the target-occurrence. In response to the input selection corresponding to the target-occurrence, automatically searching the plurality of instances of stored occurrence-data for data correlating to the representative feature of the target-occurrence using the selected pattern recognition criteria. If at least one of the input-selector and recipient posses an access right, providing an output indicative of a result of the automatic search to the recipient. The occurrence-data may be stored in a data storage device, and, the data storage device may include a digital data storage device. The data storage device may include a portable data storage device. The information security measure may be associated with the data storage device, and may be associated with the computing device. The input-selector may include an individual user. The recipient may be an individual user. The input-selector and the recipient may be a same party. The providing an output indicative of a result of the automatic search may include providing a ranking for at least two instances of the correlating occurrence-data in a hierarchy of the found correlating occurrence-data.

The providing an output indicative of a result of the automatic search may include providing a tentative target-occurrence identifier. The method may include steps for receiving another input-selection corresponding to the tentative target-occurrence identifier, and providing an instance of correlating occurrence-data in response to the another input-selection.

The providing an output indicative of a result of the automatic search may include providing a degraded representation of an instance of the correlating occurrence-data. The method may include steps for receiving another input-selection corresponding to the degraded representation, and providing correlating occurrence-data in response to the another input-selection.

The method may include receiving a redaction selection and a tendered redaction authorization, and determining that at least one of the redaction-selector and recipient possess a redaction right. In response to the redaction selection and a determination that at least one of the redaction selector and the recipient possess a redaction right, redacting an instance of the plurality of instances of occurrence-data from the stored occurrence-data. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may not correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature. The method may include, if occurrence-data correlating to the target-occurrence representative feature is found, and if at least one of the input-selector and recipient posses an access right, provide the correlating occurrence-data to the recipient.

Another embodiment provides an occurrence-data retrieval system. The system includes a computing device operable to communicate with a data storage device. The data storage device is operable to store a plurality of instances of occurrence-data from remote data storages, each instance of occurrence-data having a representative feature sensed respectively by a device associated with the remote data storage. The system also includes an information security measure that protects instances of occurrence-data stored in the data storage device from unauthorized access, and instructions, which when implemented in a computing device, cause the computing device to perform steps. The steps include receive from a redaction-selector a redaction selection corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, and a tender of a redaction authorization. In response to the tendered redaction authorization, determine if the redaction-selector possesses a redaction right, and automatically select a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to the representative feature of the target-occurrence. In response to the redaction selection corresponding to the target-occurrence, automatically search the plurality of instances of occurrence-data stored in the data storage device for data correlating to the target-occurrence using the selected pattern recognition criteria. If the redaction-selector possesses a redaction right, redact an instance of the plurality of instances of occurrence-data from the data storage device. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may not correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature.

A further embodiment provides a method. The method includes inputting a selection to a computing device corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, a recipient selection, and a tendered access authorization. The method includes inputting a selection to the computing device corresponding to a plurality of instances of stored occurrence-data protected by an information security measure. Each instance of occurrence-data originates from remote data storages, includes a representative feature sensed respectively by a device associated with the remote data storage, and respectively correlates to an occurrence. If the tendered access authorization establishes an access right, receiving an output indicative of a search of the plurality of instances of stored occurrence-data for data correlating to the target-occurrence. The data correlating to the target-occurrence may be determined by a pattern recognition criteria automatically selected in response to the target-occurrence. The plurality of instances of occurrence-data may be stored in a data storage device local to the computing device. The method may include inputting a redaction selection and tendering a redaction authorization, and determining if a valid redaction right is owned. If the tendered access authorization establishes a valid redaction right is owned, redacting an instance of the plurality of instances of occurrence-data from the stored occurrence-data. The instance of occurrence-data may correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature. The redacted instance of occurrence-data may not correlate to the target-occurrence representative feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the invention, together with features and advantages thereof, may be understood by making reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like referenced numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sensor node, or “mote”;

FIG. 2 illustrates a graph of a hypothetical data related to a sensed parameter that may define an occurrence;

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating several classes of occurrences, a relationship between an individual occurrence and at least one characteristic or attribute of the individual occurrences, and representative features of the individual characteristics;

FIG. 4 illustrates a distributed sensor network;

FIGS. 5A and 5B include a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process in which sensor data correlating to a target-occurrence is acquired from a sensor network and stored;

FIG. 6 illustrates a distributed sensor node occurrence-data archival and retrieval system;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process that aggregates and stores a plurality of instances of correlated sensor data in an occurrence-data archive;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates exemplary steps of a process that searches and retrieves certain instances of stored correlated sensor data from an occurrence-data archive;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps of a process that searches a plurality of instances of occurrence data stored in a data vault or data lock box and provides an output;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps of a process providing the output of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps of a process that redacts a selected instance of occurrence data from the plurality of instances of stored occurrence data described in conjunction with FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The detailed description and the drawings illustrate specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention;

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein unless the context dictates otherwise. The meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”.

FIG. 1 illustrates a sensor node 20, or “mote,” many of which can be combined to form a sensor network. The sensor node 20 may be of various sizes, and may be as small as a quarter coin, or smaller, as sensor node sizes are now in the millimeter range. The sensor node 20 includes a power source 22, a logic circuit/microprocessor 24, a storage device 25, a transmitter (or transceiver) 26, a communications coupler 28 coupled to the transmitter 26, and a sensor element 30. Alternatively, the mote may be unpowered or passive, drawing its power from a reader or another source.

In the illustrated embodiment, the power source 22 provides power to the sensor node 20. For example, the power source 22 may include a battery, a solar-powered cell, and/or a continuous power supply furnished by an external power source, such as by connection to a power line. By way of example, the storage device 25 includes any computer readable media, such as volatile and/or nonvolatile media, removable and/or non-removable media, for storing computer data in permanent or semi-permanent form, and can be implemented with any data storage technology. Alternatively, the storage device 25 may store data in a form that can be sampled or otherwise converted into a form storable in a computer readable media.

The transmitter 26 transmits a data signal. In an optional embodiment, the transmitter 26 both receives and transmits data signals (transceiver). A “data signal” includes, for example and without limitation, a current signal, voltage signal, magnetic signal, or optical signal in a format capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. The transmitter 26 may include wireless, wired, infrared, optical, and/or other communications techniques, for communication with a central computing device or central station, and optionally other sensor nodes, using the communications coupler 28. The communications coupler 28 may include an antenna for wireless communication, a connection for wired connection, and/or an optical port for optical communication.

The sensor node 20 may include any type of data processing capacity, such a hardware logic circuit, for example an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a programmable logic, or such as a computing device, for example, a microcomputer or microcontroller that include a programmable microprocessor. The embodiment of the sensor node 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes data-processing capacity provided by the microprocessor 24. The microprocessor 24 may include memory, processing, interface resources, controllers, and counters. The microprocessor 24 also generally includes one or more programs stored in memory to operate the sensor node 20. If an embodiment uses a hardware logic circuit, the logic circuit generally includes a logical structure that operates the sensor node 20.

The sensor node 20 includes one or more sensor elements 30 that are capable of detecting a parameter of an environment in which the sensor node is located and outputting a data signal. The sensor element 30 may detect at least one parameter from a group of optical, acoustic, pressure, temperature, thermal, acceleration, magnetic, biological, chemical, and motion parameters. The optical parameter may include at least one from a group consisting of infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light parameters. For example and without limitation, the sensor element 30 may include a photo sensor to detect a level or change in level of light, a temperature sensor to detect temperature, an audio sensor to detect sound, and/or a motion sensor to detect movement. The sensor element 30 may include a digital image capture device, such as for example and without limitation, a CCD or CMOS imager that captures data related to infrared, visible, and/or ultraviolet light images.

Typically, the sensor node 20 automatically acquires data related to a parameter of the sensor node environment, and transmits data to a central computing device. For example, the sensor element 30 in a form of an acoustic sensor may acquire sound levels and frequencies, and transmit the data related to the levels and frequencies along with a time track using the transmitter 26 and the communication coupler 28. The acquisition may be on any basis, such as continuously, intermittently, sporadically, occasionally, and upon request. In an alternative embodiment, the time track may be provided elsewhere, such as a device that receives the sensor data.

By way of further example and without limitation, the sensor element 30 in a form of an optical digital camera may periodically acquire visual images, such as for example, once each second, and to transmit the data related to visual images along with a time track. In another example, the sensor element 30 in the form of a temperature sensor may detect temperature changes in two-degree temperature intervals, and to transmit each two-degree temperature change along with the time it occurred. Each of the above examples illustrates a sequence, ranging from continuous for acoustical detection to a per occurrence basis for two-degree temperature changes.

The sensor element 30 may sense operational parameters of the sensor node 20 itself, such as its battery/power level, or its radio signal strength. Sensor data, including a data related to a sensed parameter, is transmitted from the sensor node 20 in any signal form via the transmitter 26 and the communications coupler 28, to a receiver. The receiver may be, for example, another sensor node 20, a central computing device, or any other data receiver. The sensor data may include a time and/or date that the data related to a parameter was acquired.

The sensor node 20 may include a unique identifier, and is operable to communicate the identifier in an association with its sensed parameter. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor node 20 may include a configuration that determines its location, for example, by a GPS system, by triangulation relative to a known point, or by communication with other sensor nodes. Alternatively, the location of the sensor node 20 may be a known parameter established previously. Similarly, location identification may be associated with data originated and/or forwarded by the sensor node.

FIG. 2 illustrates a graph 50 of a hypothetical chronological sequence 52 of a sensed parameter that may define an occurrence. The sequence 52 illustrates a chronological sequence of a parameter that might be outputted by a sensor node, and is plotted on the graph 50 with time on a x-axis and amplitude on a y-axis. The sinusoidal sequence 52 includes several representative features. A first representative feature is that the sequence 52 includes only two frequencies, A and B. A second representative feature is that each frequency lasts for three cycles before the sequence 52 changes to the other frequency. A third representative feature is that the sequence 52 amplitude is generally the same over the time T.

For example, assume that an individual user is seeking data representative of a car accident. The car accident is the target-occurrence. Further, assume that a characteristic of a car accident is that an emergency vehicle may approach and/or be present at the scene with its siren activated. Further, assume that it is known that a “do-dah, do-dah, do-dah” type siren used by some emergency vehicles, such as fire, ambulance, or police, generates sound or acoustic waves that include the three features of the sequence 52. Also, assume that the sequence 52 represents a chronological sequence output parameter by an acoustic sensor, such as element 30 of the sensor node 20 of FIG. 1. Application of a pattern recognition criteria that recognizes the three above representative features of a sensor data that includes the sequence 52 is likely to locate sensor data representative of the car accident occurrence that involved a presence of siren. The sensor data may be either from a single sensor node 20 or a plurality of sensor nodes 20.

By way of further example, if the occurrence of interest is passage of an emergency vehicle siren through an intersection monitored by an acoustic sensor, a fourth representative feature would be a Doppler shift in the frequencies A and B on the passage of the vehicle. Expansion of the pattern recognition criteria to include recognition of the fourth feature is likely to locate sensor data representative of the passage of the emergency vehicle. This example may be expanded where each intersection in a portion of a city is individually monitored by networked, distributed acoustic sensor nodes. Application of the expanded pattern recognition criteria to the chronological sequences of acoustic data outputted by the sensor nodes is expected to locate data representative of the passage of the emergency vehicle through each intersection, including a time of passage. Note that in this example, the siren is a selected target-occurrence while in the above example, the siren is a characteristic of the selected target-occurrence, the car accident.

An occurrence includes anything that may be of interest, for example, to a user, a computing device, or machine. An occurrence may be or include, for example, a reference, an incident, an accident, an event, a real world event, a change in a data sequence, and a change in a time domain. An occurrence may be a high-level matter such as a car crash or a riot, or a lesser-level matter, such as a siren or gun shot. This detailed description uses certain events having a sequence of at least one parameter that may be detected by a sensor element to describe embodiments. However, the invention is not so limited.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating several classes of occurrences, a relationship between an individual occurrence and at least one characteristic or attribute of the individual occurrences, and representative features of the individual characteristics. Table of FIG. 3 illustrates an anticipated relationship between occurrences, characteristics, and features.

For example, occurrence 1 of FIG. 3 is a car crash. A car crash includes a plurality of characteristics or attributes, such as (a) breaking glass, (b) impact noise, (c) tire screech, and (d) approach and presence of emergency vehicles. Each of these characteristics has representative features that can be sensed by one or more sensor nodes, such as the sensor node 20. Characteristic or attribute (a), breaking glass of occurrence 1, a car crash, is expected to include a representative feature of sequential, high, and broadly-distributed sound frequencies that would be sensed by an acoustic sensor, such as the sensor element 30 of FIG. 1. Characteristic (d), approach and presence of emergency vehicles, is expected to include a representative feature of a siren being sounded as an emergency vehicle approaches a car accident scene. A more detailed example of representative features of a “do-dah, do-dah” siren pattern is described in conjunction with FIG. 2 above. Other types of emergency sirens are expected to have different representative features.

By way of further example, a siren sound, which is a characteristic of occurrence 1, may also be considered an occurrence, and is shown as occurrence 2 of FIG. 3. FIG. 3 also includes examples of fire, armored convey passage, and physical assault as high-level occurrences, and a gun shot as a lesser-level occurrence.

As described above, each occurrence has certain known and/or discoverable features or representative features. In FIG. 2, the graph 50 of the hypothetical chronological sequence 52 of a sensed parameter illustrates three representative features that may correspond to an occurrence.

One or more representative features are selected for recognition of sensor data representative of an occurrence of interest, which is also referred to as a target-occurrence. Representative features are features that correspond to a characteristic of an occurrence and provide a data representation of the occurrence. A representative feature may be individually selected by an input-selector, or automatically selected. Any suitable pattern recognition criteria, such as which may be expressed in an algorithm, method and/or device, is used to identify one or more of the selected representative features of a target-occurrence for identification, location, retention, and/or retrieval of sensor data corresponding to the target-occurrence. In certain embodiments, the pattern recognition criteria are computer implemented. “Pattern recognition criteria” as used in this specification may include anything that recognizes, identifies, or establishes a correspondence with, one or more representative features of an occurrence. While the fields of pattern recognition and artificial intelligence are sometimes considered as separate fields, or that one is a subfield of the other, pattern recognition as used herein may include methods and/or devices sometimes described as artificial intelligence. Further, pattern recognition may include data or image processing and vision using fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, rough sets, and wavelets. Further, a determination of which features are representative features of a target-occurrence may also be determined using pattern recognition.

FIG. 4 illustrates a distributed sensor network 70 that includes an array of sensor nodes 80, a central computing device 90, at least one digital storage device, illustrated as a digital storage device 100, and a plurality of communications links. The sensor nodes of the plurality of sensor nodes 80 are similar to the sensor node 20 of FIG. 1. For purposes of illustration, the sensor nodes are given reference numbers indicative of their communications tier with respect to the central computing device 90. The first tier has reference numbers 82.1.1-82.1.N, and the second tier has reference numbers 82.2.1-82.2.N. Additional tiers are not numbered for clarity. Each sensor node in the array of sensor nodes 80 may sense a same parameter. Alternatively, a plurality sensor nodes of the array of sensor nodes 80 may respectively sense different parameters. For example, the sensor node 82.1.1 may respectively sense acoustical pressure and sensor node 82.1.2 may respectively sense temperature. The respective parameters sensed by the individual sensor nodes may be mixed and matched in any manner to provide a desired parameter description of the area in which the array of sensor nodes 80 are deployed.

In an embodiment, the individual sensor nodes of the plurality of sensor nodes 80 of the sensor network 70 are typically distributed, that is they are physically separated from each other. However, in certain embodiments, sensor nodes that sense different parameters are grouped in proximity to provide a more complete data related to a location. Further, in an embodiment, the sensor nodes of the array of sensor nodes 80 are distributed over a geographical area. Such distributed sensors may include sensing “real world” environmental parameters occurring in a locale of each sensor, for example and without limitation, weather, car crashes, and gunshots. In another embodiment, the sensor nodes of the array of sensor nodes 80 are distributed in a manner to sense a parameter related to a physical entity, such as, for example and without limitation, individual pieces of a distributed equipment, such as traffic lights or cell-phone transmission towers, or a locale, such as seats in a stadium.

An exemplary system implementing an embodiment includes a computing device, illustrated in FIG. 4 as a central computing device 90. In its most basic configuration, the computing device 90 typically includes at least one central processing unit, storage, memory, and at least some form of computer-readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computing device 90. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media might comprise computer storage media and communication media.

Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of data such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired data and that can be accessed by the computing system 90. The computer storage media may be contained within a case or housing of the computing device 90, or may be external thereto.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information and/or delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media may also be referred to as computer program product.

The digital storage device 100 may be any form of a computer data digital storage device that includes a computer storage media, including the forms of computer storage media described above. The digital storage device 100 may be a local digital storage device contained within a case housing the computing device 90. Alternatively, the digital storage device 100 may be a local and external digital storage device proximate to the computing device 90, or remote to the computing device, and that coupled to the computing device 90 in either case by a communications link 99.

The computing device 90 also includes communications ports that allow the computing device to communicate with other devices. More specifically, the computing device 90 includes a port 97 for a wired communication link, such as the wired communication link 102 providing communications with at least one sensor node of the array of sensor nodes 80. The computing device 90 also includes a wireless transceiver or receiver coupled with a communications coupler, such as the antenna 96, for wireless communication over a link, such as the wireless communication link 104. The wireless communications link 104 provides wireless communications with at least one sensor node of the array of sensors devices 80. The wireless communication link 104 may include an acoustic, radio frequency, infrared and/or other wireless communication link. The computing device 90 further includes a port 98 for wired, wireless, and/or optical communication over a communication link 108 with a network, such as a local area network, wide area network, and Internet. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. The communications link may include an acoustic, radio frequency, infrared and other wireless connection.

The computing device 90 may also have input device(s) 94, such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. The computing device 90 may further have output device(s) 92, such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. Additionally, the computing device 90 may also have additional features and/or functionality.

The computing device 90 may be implemented in any suitable physical form, including a mainframe computer, a desktop personal computer, a laptop personal computer, and a reduced-profile portable computing device, such as a PDA or other handheld device.

Logical operation of certain embodiments may be implemented as a sequence of computer implemented steps, instructions, or program modules running on a computing system and/or as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system.

The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance requirements of the computing system implementing and embodiment. In light of this disclosure, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the functions and operation of various embodiments disclosed may be implemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic, or any combination thereof without deviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B include a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process 120 in which sensor data correlating to a target-event is acquired from a sensor network and stored. In certain embodiments, the process 120 is implemented in a central computer, such as the computing device 90 of FIG. 4. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the process 120 is implemented in a sensor node of an array of sensor nodes, such as the sensor node array 80 of FIG. 4.

After a start block, the process 120 moves to block 122. At block, 122, a computing device, such as the central computing device 90, continuously receives sensed data of at least one parameter from a sensor node over a communications link. The sensor node may be any sensor node, such as the sensor node 82.1.2, 82.1.N, or 82.2.2 of the array of sensor nodes 80 of FIG. 4. The communications link may be any communications link known in the art, for example and without limitation, an optical, a wireless, and/or a wired link. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates the sensor node 82.1.2 communicating over the wired communications link 102, and the sensor node 82.1.N communicating over the wireless communications link 104. FIG. 4 also illustrates the sensor node 82.2.2 communicating over a wireless link 106 with the sensor node 82.1.3, which then relays and communicates the data from the sensor node 82.2.2 with the computing device 90 over the wired communications link 102.

Optimally, the sensed data is transmitted at intervals and aggregated into the data related to the sensed at least one parameter by a receiving device. In an alternative embodiment, the sensed data may be transmitted continuously by the sensor node. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the sensed data may include continuously sampled data at a predetermined sampling rate, such as a temperature reading captured during the first minute of every five-minute interval, or such as a digital image captured once each second.

At block 124, the received sensed data is continuously stored in a storage device, such as the storage device I 00, as first sensor data set. In an alternative embodiment, the first data set includes a multi-element data structure from which elements of the data related to the sensed at least one parameter can be removed only in the same order in which they were inserted into the data structure. In another alternative embodiment, the first data set includes a multi-element data structure from which elements can be removed based on factors other than order of insertion.

At block 126, an input selection is received from an input-selector of a target-event having at least one representative feature. In a certain embodiment, the input-selector includes a user, who inputs the selection of the target-event using the user input device 94 of FIG. 4. The user may select the target-event from a list of possible target-events displayed on the user output device 92. The list for example, may be similar to the list of occurrences of FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the input-selector includes a machine, or a program running on a computing device, such as the computing device 90.

In an embodiment, the input selection of the target-event may include a selection an event that is directly of interest. For example, a sound pattern of interest, such as the siren sound that is event 2 of FIG. 3. In another embodiment, the input selection of the target-event may be formulated in terms of a parameter that correlates to the event that is directly of interest. For example, where the event of interest is a fire, the input may be formulated in terms of a siren sound indicating an approach or presence of emergency vehicles. The siren sound is characteristic (a) of a fire, which is event 3 of FIG. 3.

In a further embodiment, the input selection of the target-event is formulated in terms of weighing and/or comparing several instances of a sensed data of at least one parameter from a plurality of sensor nodes to determine which of the several instances provide a good representation of the target-event. For example, the input selection may request the best sensed data from six sensor, such as the best sensed data from six sensors that heard a gun shot during a time period.

At block 128, a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to at least one representative feature of the target-event is selected. In an embodiment, the method includes at least one representative feature of each possible target-event. The process automatically selects one or more pattern recognition criteria for recognition of sensor data representative of or corresponding to the target-event. In certain embodiments, the pattern recognition criteria are included with the process 120, or available to the process from another source. For example, pattern recognition criteria may be associated locally with the computing device 90, or available to it over a communications link, such as the communications link 108. In a further embodiment, pattern recognition criteria are provided to the computing device by the input-selector in conjunction with the input of selection of the target-event.

At block 132, in response to the input selection corresponding to the target-event, the first sensor data set is automatically searched for data correlating to the at least one target-event representative feature using the selected pattern recognition criteria.

In a certain embodiment, the received input selection of the target-event further includes a selection of a representative feature of the target-event. The inputted selection of a target-event representative feature may be any feature that the input-selector chooses for searching sensor data. For example, the selected representative feature may include a time period and acoustic frequency components. The acoustic frequency components may include a selected frequency pattern, such as a recognized word, set of words, breaking glass, dog bark, door opening, alarm, threshold acoustic level, and voiceprint. The selected representative feature may include a selected electromagnetic pattern, such as a visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, and radar. In this embodiment, at block 128, a pattern recognition criteria is automatically selected by instructions in response to the selected representative feature. Further, at block 132, the first sensor data set is automatically searched using the pattern recognition criteria selected in response to the inputted representative feature.

At decision block 134, a determination is made if sensor data correlating to the at least one target-event representative feature was found. If the sensor data is not found, the process branches to block 138. If the sensor data is found, the process branches to block 136. At block 136, the instructions cause the computing device 90 to store the correlated sensor data in a retained data storage. The retained data storage may be at any location. For example and without limitation, the retained data storage may be local to the central computing device 90, such its removable or non-removable media; it may included in the digital storage device 100; or it may be a remote digital storage device associated with the computing device 90 over a communications link, such as the communications link 108. In an embodiment, access to the retained data storage is restricted to authorized users. After storage of the correlated sensor data in a retained data storage, the process moves to block 138.

In certain embodiments, in addition to storing the sensor data correlating to at least one target-event representative feature, the process includes storing a portion of the sensor data that was sensed before the found target-event representative feature. In other embodiments, the instructions include storing a portion of the sensor data that was sensed after the found target-event representative feature. In still other embodiments, the instructions include storing a portion of the sensor data that was sensed both before and after the found target-event representative feature. These embodiments allow data occurring before and/or after the representative features to be saved.

In another embodiment, the process includes assigning a tentative event-identifier to the correlated sensor data. For example, if the target-event is a fire, and if a search of the first data set for data correlating to at least one fire event representative feature finds correlating sensor data, the process includes association of a tentative event-identifier, such as “fire,” with the correlated sensor data. The trial-event identifier is associated with the stored correlated sensor data at block 136.

At block 138, the data related to the sensed at least one parameter is continuously deleted from the first data set according to a deletion sequence. In an embodiment, the deletion sequence includes a substantially first-in, first-out order. In another embodiment, the deletion sequence includes a factor other than order of insertion into the data set.

At block 142, the process returns to block 132 to search another portion of the continuously received sensed data. The process continues while the continuous sensed data is received. The instructions then move to the stop block.

An embodiment provides a computer implemented process for searching the data related to the sensed at least one parameter from the first data set and storing correlated sensor data for both the target-event as described above and another target-event before deletion of the data from the first data set. In an alternative embodiment, another input selection is received corresponding to another target-event having at least one representative event feature. The input selection is received in a manner substantially similar to block 126. In a manner substantially similar to block 128, another pattern recognition criteria is automatically selected corresponding to at least one of the representative features of the selected another target-event.

In a manner substantially similar to block 132, in response to the input selection corresponding to the another target-event, the first sensor data set is automatically searched for data correlating to the at least one target-event feature of the another target-event using the selected pattern recognition criteria. In a manner substantially similar to decision block 134, if sensor data correlating to the at least one target-event representative feature of the another target-event is found, the correlated sensor data is stored in the same retained data storage used to store representative features of the first target-event, or another retained data storage.

A further embodiment includes substantially simultaneously storing correlated sensor data for the target-event from two sensor nodes, each node generating separate data related to a same or a different sensed parameter. In such an embodiment, two parallel instances of sensed parameters are searched by the computing device 90 of FIG. 3 for data correlating to at least one representative feature of the target-event. In a manner substantially similar to block 122, data related to a sensed parameter from a second sensor node of the plurality of distributed sensor nodes is continuously stored into a second sensor data set.

In a manner substantially similar to block 132, in response to the input selection corresponding to the target-event, the second sensor data set is automatically searched for data correlating to the at least one target-event representative feature using the selected pattern recognition criteria. In a manner substantially similar to decision block 134, if sensor data correlating to the at least one target-event representative feature of the target-event is found in the second data set, the second correlated sensor data is stored. The storage location may be the same retained data storage used to store representative features of the first target-event, or another retained data storage.

Yet another embodiment provides a process that substantially simultaneously stores correlated sensor data for a plurality of target-events from a respective plurality of sensor nodes, each node generating a separate data related to a same or a different sensed parameter. The manner and method of scaling the computer process 120 for the parallel and substantially simultaneous storing of correlated sensor data may be done in any manner known to those in the art.

Another embodiment includes using the computing power and storage of a sensor node, such as the sensor node 20 of FIG. 1, to run at least a portion of the process 120. In conjunction with block 126 of FIG. 5A, the target even input selection may be preloaded into the sensor node, or may be communicated to the sensor node over a communications link. Similarly, in conjunction with block 128, the pattern recognition criteria may also be preloaded into the sensor node, or may be communicated to the sensor node over a communications link. At block 136, the retained data storage that stores the correlated sensor data may be local to the sensor node, such as the digital storage 25 of FIG. 1. The process 120 includes the sensor node transmitting at least a portion of the stored correlated sensor data over a communications link to a central computing device, such as the central computing device 90 of FIG. 4. The process 120 may further include deleting the stored sensor data after the data has been communicated to the central computing device. In an alternative embodiment, the process 120 includes the sensor node transmitting the stored correlated sensor data to the central computing device in response to a pull by the central computing device. In another alternative embodiment, the process 120 includes the sensor node pushing the stored correlated sensor data to the central computing device.

Alternatively, at block 136, the retained data storage may be the digital storage device 100 of the central computing device 90 of FIG. 4. The process 120 may include instructions that cause the sensor node to transmit at least a portion of the found correlated sensor data to the digital storage device 100 for an initial storage.

An embodiment includes a communication media embodying the process 120, which, when implemented in a computer, causes the computer to perform a method. For example, in an embodiment where the process 120 is implemented in a computing device, such as the computing device 90 of FIG. 4, instructions embodying the process are typically stored in a computer readable media, such as without limitation the storage media and memory of the computing device, and loaded into memory for use.

A further embodiment includes a method implementing the steps of the computerized process 120, and a computer readable carrier containing instructions which, when implemented in a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the computer process 120.

An exemplary system employing certain embodiments described above may be illustrated by a network system of distributed acoustic sensor nodes placed on a plurality of city traffic lights. While the illustrative system describes the networked system as owned by the city maintaining the traffic lights, the exemplary system may have any ownership, such as a private, public, and governmental, and may be used for any purpose, such as private, public, governmental, and military.

The exemplary system includes an orientation toward gathering and storing acoustic event data for later identification and retrieval. The individual nodes may use the power supplied to the traffic light as their power source, or alternatively, use long-life batteries or solar power. The individual nodes may communicate with a central computing device by sending sensor data over the power lines serving the traffic light, separate wire communication links, or wireless communications links. An event-data storage program embodying certain embodiments described above is operating on the central computing device. Depending on the city's need to accumulate sensor data and total digital data storage space requirements, a digital storage device within the central computing device case may be used, or at least one local larger capacity device proximate to the central computing device may be used.

In operation of the exemplary system, each sensor node transmits data related to sensed acoustic data generated by their acoustic sensor element to the central computing device. While the sensed acoustic data may be transmitted continuously by each sensor node, optimally in this embodiment to conserve bandwidth, the data is temporarily stored in the sensor node and transmitted to the central computing device in batches. A portion of sensed acoustic data for each sensor node in the network, including an identification of the originating sensor node, is received by the event-data storage program operating on the central computing device and stored in a data set queue in the associated digital storage device. Optimally, the sensed acoustic data for each sensor node is stored in a separate data set queue. This illustrative system contemplates that two things occur before the sensed acoustic data is received. First, the event-data storage program receive at least one target-event input selection. Second, a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to at least one of the representative features of the target-event be selected. For this exemplary system, the selected target-events are a gunshot, siren, tire screech, and loud voices. The event-data storage program automatically searches each sensor data set for senor data having representative features correlating to a gunshot, siren, tire screech, or loud voices using the selected pattern recognition criteria. If sensor data correlating to a representative feature of a gunshot, siren, tire screech, and loud voices is found, the program stores the correlated sensor data in a retained data storage. The retained data storage may have sufficient capacity to archive correlated event-data for a predetermined time period, such as a week, a month, a year, or multiple years.

Optimally, the program also associates and stores a tentative event-identifier, such as gunshot, siren, tire screech, or loud voices, with the correlated sensor data. The associated tentative event-identifier will allow city officials to search the correlated sensor data by identifying and event from gunshot, siren, tire screech, or loud voices, and searching the retained data storage by tentative identifiers instead of what may be a more complicated search use pattern recognition criteria. After the batch sensed acoustic data is searched, the program automatically deletes the sensor acoustic data from the data set queue. The deletion minimizes the amount of digital data storage necessary in the system by saving only sensor data correlating to selected target-events.

While the above exemplary system includes gathering and storing event-data on a non-real-time basis for later retrieval, an embodiment allows the system to perform real-time tentative identification of one or more target-events and save correlating sensor data. For example, sensor nodes having sufficient computing capacity may be preloaded with one or more input target-event selections. Each sensor node would automatically and in substantially real-time search sensor data generated by its local sensor element for sensor data correlating to the input target-event selection. Instead of storing for later transmission, the found correlating sensor data would be immediately transmitted to the central computing device and be available for use. The data transmission may include associated tentative event-identifiers. In effect, the sensor nodes filter their acoustical data and only provide sensor data to the central computing device that corresponds the inputted target-event selection. The event-data program may then store the found correlating sensor data, and notify a user in substantially real-time of receipt of data having the tentative target identifiers. The notification may be by a display on a monitor screen coupled with the central computing device. The user may then listen to the correlated sensor data and take appropriate action, such as notifying police or fire.

Another embodiment includes a mobile central computing device that a user takes into communication range with a network of remote sensor nodes. A mobile computing device, such as a laptop and a reduced-profile computing device, provide mobility to the computing device 90. The mobility allows a user to take the central computing device 90 into the field and within transmission range of certain sensor nodes of a distributed network of remote sensor nodes. The sensor nodes typically have acquired and stored a plurality of sensor data sets, each sensor data set representing a respective feature sensed by a sensor element of its respective sensor node. A communication link, typically a wireless link, is established between the computing device 90 and one or more of the sensor nodes of the array of sensor nodes 80 of the network of remote or distributed sensor nodes 70. The user inputs a selection of sensor data sets to be transmitted from the certain sensor nodes to the computing device 90. In response, a process running on the computing device 90 communicates with the one or more sensor nodes, extracts the sensor data sets, stores them, and provides a confirmation to the user that the selected sensor data sets have been received. The user typically will receive the confirmation and move the computing device into communication proximity to other sensor nodes of the array of sensor nodes 80. Typically, the stored plurality of sensor data sets are deleted from the sensor nodes after transmission to the computing device 90 to free-up storage.

FIG. 6 illustrates a distributed sensor node event-data archival and retrieval system 150. The system 150 includes a plurality of distributed sensor networks, illustrated as first, second, and third distributed sensor networks 70, 152, and 162 respectively. The distributed sensor network 70 is described in conjunction with FIG. 4, and the sensor networks 152 and 162 are substantially similar to the sensor network 70. Each distributed sensor network includes an array of sensor nodes, illustrated as a first, second, and third arrays 80, 154, and 164 respectively. Each sensor network also includes at least one central computing device, illustrated as first, second, and third central computing devices 90, 156, and 166 respectively, and includes a plurality of communications links. The arrays of sensor nodes 154 and 164 are substantially similar to the array of sensor nodes 80 described in conjunction with FIG. 4. For clarity, only several sensor nodes and their communications links are illustrated in the arrays 80, 154, and 156 in FIG. 6.

The second and third central computing devices 156 and 166 are substantially similar to the first central computing device 90 of FIG. 4. The second and third digital data storage devices 158 and 168, and the associated communications links 159 and 169 that communicate with those central computing devices are substantially similar to the first digital data storage device 100 and the first communications link 99, also as described in conjunction with FIG. 4.

The system 150 also includes an aggregating computing device 170 that is substantially similar to the central computing device 90 of FIG. 4. The words “central,” “aggregating,” “collecting,” and “archival” are used in this specification, including the claims, to identify certain devices and to illustrate a possible network hierarchy environment of one or more embodiments. These words do not limit the nature or functionality of a device. The system 150 illustrates a possible network hierarchy where, in an embodiment, a plurality of central computing devices, illustrated as the central computing devices 90, 156, and 166, receive and store sensor node data from a plurality of sensor node arrays, illustrated as the sensor nodes of the arrays 80, 154, and 164 respectively. The system 150 also illustrates a possible network hierarchy where, in an embodiment, the aggregating computing device 170 receives and stores, i.e., aggregates, sensor data acquired by a plurality of central computing devices, illustrated in FIG. 6 as central computing devices 90, 156, and 166. In another embodiment, the computing device 170 may function as a central computing device providing sensor data it received and stored to another aggregating computing device (not illustrated).

The computing device 170 communicates with at least one remote digital data storage device, such as storage devices 100, 158, and 168, through their associated computing devices 90, 156, and 166, respectively, using one or more communications links. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the aggregating computing device 170 also includes communications ports that allow the computing device to communicate with other devices. These communications ports are substantially similar to the communications ports of the computing device 90 of FIG. 4. More specifically, the computing device 170 includes a sensor communication port 177 for a wired communication link, such as the wire communication link 189, providing communications with the central computing device 156 and its associated digital data storage device 158. The computing device 170 also includes a wireless transceiver or receiver coupled with a communications coupler, such as an antenna 176, for wireless communication over a communications link, such as a wireless communication link 186. FIG. 6 illustrates the wireless communication link 186 coupling the computing device 170 and the computing device 166, and its associated digital data storage device 168. The computing device 170 further includes a network communications port 178 for wired, wireless, and/or optical communication over a communication link, such as the network communications link 188, for communication with a network, such as a local area network, wide area network, and Internet. FIG. 6 also illustrates a communications link 188 as network link between the central computing device 90 and its associated digital storage device 99. The communications link 188 may include an acoustic, radio frequency, infrared and other wireless connection.

The system 150 also includes at least one digital storage device as an event-data archive, illustrated as an archival digital data storage device 190, which may be substantially similar to the digital data storage device 100 of FIG. 4. The archival digital storage device 190 may be a local digital data storage device contained within a case housing the computing device 170. Alternatively, the archival digital storage device 190 may be a local and external digital data storage device proximate to the computing device 170, or it may be remote to the computing device. The archival digital data storage device 190 is coupled to the computing device in any event by a communications link 179.

The aggregating computing device 170 may also have input device(s) 174, such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. The computing device 170 may further have output device(s) 172, such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. Additionally, the computing device 170 may also have additional features and/or functionality.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process 200 that aggregates and stores a plurality of instances of correlated sensor data in an event-data archive. After a start block, the process 200 moves to block 202. At block, 202, a plurality of central computing devices, such as the central computing devices 90, 156, and 166, each transmit a plurality of instances of correlated sensor data to an aggregating computing device. The instances of correlated sensor data are typically acquired by a sensor node operable to sense at least one parameter, and each instance has been correlated to an event having at least one representative feature. The instances may be stored in one or more digital data storage devices, such as the storage devices 100, 158, and 168, associated with the central computing devices 90, 156, and 166, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, at least one digital data storage device is remote to its associated computing device. The remote digital data storage device may be included in one or more sensor nodes.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the correlated sensor data is accessed from the storage devices 100, 158, and 168 by their associated central computing devices 90, 156, and 166, and transmitted over their associated communications links 108, 186, and 189, to the aggregating computing device 170. In an embodiment, each instance of the sensor data was acquired by at least one sensor node of a plurality of distributed sensor nodes, and each sensor node is part of a network of sensor nodes. Further, each instance of correlated sensor data may include an associated tentative event-identifier, which typically is generated and associated when the instance of correlating sensor data was found.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), instances of correlated sensor data re pulled from the digital data storage devices in response to a request communicated to their respective central computing devices by the aggregating computing device 170. In another embodiment, instances of correlated sensor data are transmitted or pushed from the digital data storage devices by their associated central computing device to the aggregating computing device 170.

At block 204, the plurality of instances of correlated sensor data are received. At block 206, the plurality of instances of correlated sensor data are stored in an aggregating digital data storage device, such as the digital data storage device 190. The aggregating digital data storage device may be referred to in this specification as an event-data archive. In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of instances of sensor data stored in the event-data archive are protected by an information security measure. Such a protected or secured stored data arrangement may be referred to in this specification as a “data vault” or “data lock-box.”

The information security measure typically includes providing at least one of maintaining information confidentiality, maintaining information integrity, and limiting access to authorized persons. The information security measure may be any security measure known to those skilled in the art, and at a selected level commensurate with the value of the information contained in the instances of correlated sensor data and any loss that might accrue from improper use, disclosure, or degradation. The information security measure may be implemented in software, hardware, infrastructure, networks, or any other appropriate manner. In an embodiment, the information security measure may be associated with the digital data storage device, the plurality of instances of correlated sensor data, and/or a computing device having a communication link with the digital data storage device.

Next, at block 208 the process 200 waits for more event data. If additional event data is received, the process moves to block 204 and receives the additional event data.

The process 200 then proceeds to the stop block. In an alternative embodiment, the process 200 includes deleting at least a portion of the instances of correlated sensor data from the digital data storage devices 100, 158, and 168 after the instances have been transmitted to the aggregating computing device.

The process 200, when implemented in a computing device, causes the computing device to perform certain steps. For example, in an embodiment where the process 200 is implemented in a computing device, such as the aggregating computing device 170 of FIG. 6, the instructions are typically stored in a computer readable media, such as the storage media and/or memory of the computing device, and loaded into memory for use. In certain embodiments, the process 200 aggregates instances of sensor data correlating to an event from a plurality of remote digital data storage devices, and stores those instances on a digital data storage device associated with an aggregating computer as an event-data archive, such as the archival digital data storage device 190 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates exemplary steps of a process 220 that searches and retrieves certain instances of stored correlated sensor data from an event-data archive. After a start block, the process 220 moves to block 222. At block 222, an input selection is received from an input-selector corresponding to a target-event having at least one representative feature. The input-selector may include any entity, such as a machine, a computing device, and a user.

The input selection optimally further includes the input-selector tendering an access authorization, which is used to determine if the input-selector is a trusted entity. The tendered access authorization may be by any method or device required by a security measure protecting the instances of stored sensor data from unauthorized access, such as for example, a password, and thumb print. For example, a trusted entity may be a user, machine, or computing device, identified on a list of trusted parties. For example, the list of trusted parties may include employees and/or computing devices associated with the owner of the sensor network system. The tendered access authorization may be the input-selector's personal identification. Further, a trusted entity may be a member of a certain class, such as uniformed law enforcement officers, or computing devices maintained by agencies that employ uniformed law enforcement officers. For example, uniformed law enforcement officers may include members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, state patrol, county sheriffs, and local police. Another example of a trusted party class is a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, and a judicial officer.

In a less preferred embodiment, the instances of stored sensor data are not protected by a security measure, and the input selection does not include tender of an access authorization.

At block 224, a decision operation determines if the tendered access authorization establishes the input-selector is a trusted entity and possesses an access right to the stored correlated sensor data. If the input-selector is a trusted entity and has an access right, the process branches to block 226. If the input-selector does not posses an access right, the process branches to the end block. If a security measure is not protecting the instances of stored sensor data, then the decision block 224 is not necessary and the process moves from decision block 222 to block 226.

At block 226, a pattern recognition criteria is selected corresponding to at least one representative feature of the target-event. The criteria is selected in a manner substantially similar to block 128 described in conjunction with FIGS. 5A and 5B, including the alternative embodiments. At block 228, in response to the input selection corresponding to the target-event, a plurality of instances of stored sensor data are automatically searched for data correlating to the target-event using the selected pattern recognition criteria.

At decision block 232, a decision operation determines if sensor data correlating to the at least one target-event representative feature is found. If the sensor data correlating to the target-event is not found, the process branches to block 236, where a message equivalent to “no data found” is provided. If sensor data correlating to the target-event is found, the process branches to block 234.

At block 236, the found correlated sensor data is provided. In an embodiment, the input-selector is the recipient of the correlated sensor data. In another alternative embodiment, a third party is the recipient of the correlated sensor data. The third party may include a machine, a computing device, and a user. In a further embodiment, the input-selector selects a third party recipient of the correlated sensor data. In an alternative embodiment, the process at block 222 further includes receiving an access authorization of the third part tendered by the input-selector, and the process at decision block 224 further includes determining if the third party recipient possesses an access right before providing the correlated sensor data to the third party. The process 220 then moves to the end block.

In a further alternative embodiment of the process 220, the search at block 228 proceeds in response to an input-selector designation of a target tentative-event-identifier. In this embodiment, the received plurality of instances of correlated sensor data each include an associated tentative-event-identifier. At block 222, the received target-event selection includes an input selection corresponding to a target tentative event-identifier. If a target tentative event-identifier is selected and no reason exists to search for a representative feature, the block 226 may be bypassed. At block 228, in response to the input selection corresponding to the target tentative event-identifier, the plurality of instances of sensor data are automatically searched-for data correlating to the target tentative event-identifier. If any event data is found correlating to the target tentative event-identifier at decision block 232, the found sensor data correlating to the target tentative event-identifier is provided at block 234.

The process 220, when implemented in a computing device, causes the computing device to perform steps. In certain embodiments, the process 220 implements a process that searches and retrieves instances of stored sensor data from an event-data archive protected by a security measure, such as the archival digit data storage device 190 coupled to the computing device 170 of FIG. 6. In other embodiments, the process 220 uses a local computing device to search and retrieve instances of stored sensor data from remote digital data storage devices, such as the digital data storage device 168.

The process 220, when implemented in a computing device, causes the computing device to perform certain steps. For example, in an embodiment where the process 220 is implemented in a computing device, such as the aggregating computing device 170 of FIG. 6, the instructions are typically stored in a computer readable media, such as the storage media and/or memory of the computing device, and loaded into memory for use.

An exemplary system employing certain embodiments described above may be illustrated by three network systems of distributed sensors, and an aggregating computing device. Referring to FIG. 6, the illustrative exemplary system includes the previously described exemplary network system of distributed acoustic sensors placed on city traffic lights as the first sensor network 70, an exemplary network system of distributed digital image capture devices located in city parking garages and lots as the second sensor network 152, and an exemplary network of distributed heat/fire thermal sensors located in city buildings as the third sensor network 162. Each exemplary sensor network automatically stores correlated sensor data in an associated retained data storage, such as the digital data storage devices 100, 158, and 168.

As with FIG. 4, while the illustrative exemplary system describes the networked system as owned by the city, the illustrative exemplary system may have any ownership, such as a private, public, and governmental, and may be used for any purpose, such as private, public, governmental, and military. Further, the sensor networks may have different owners. For example, the first sensor network 70 may be owned by the city, the second sensor network 152 may be privately owned by a parking garage operator, and the third sensor network 162 may be privately owned by a fire alarm company.

The illustrative exemplary system further includes an aggregating computing device communications linked to the sensor networks, such as the aggregating computing device 170 and its archival digital data storage device 190. The central computing devices of the three networks transmit the correlated sensor data from their retained data storage to the aggregating computing device. The aggregating computing device receives and stores the correlated sensor data from the three networks in an event-data archive on its associated digital data storage device, such as device 190. The event-data archive includes a data structure suitable for later search and retrieval. The event-data archive is subject to an information security measure that protects the sensor data stored in the event-data archive from unauthorized access. The security measure is controlled by the aggregating computing device. The central computing devices delete the correlated sensor data from their associated retained data storage after transmission to the aggregating computing device. This frees storage space for the constant stream of additional correlated sensor data that is continuously transmitted by sensor nodes of their respective sensor networks.

A requesting entity may be an employee or official of an owner or operator of one of the sensor networks, or may be a potentially authorized person, machine, network or other entity. A requesting entity desiring sensor data on an event, such as shooting, enters a gunshot target-event selection on a user input device of the aggregating computing device, and tenders an identification number as an access authorization. In this example, the gunshot (event 6 of FIG. 3) may have occurred near an intersection controlled by a city traffic light at a known date.

An event-data retrieval process operating on the aggregating computing device receives the target-event selection and the employee identification number. The process determines that the requesting entity is a trusted entity and possesses an access right. In response to the gunshot target-event selection, the event-data retrieval process automatically selects a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to at least one representative feature of a gunshot. Then, the event-data retrieval process in response to the gunshot input selection, automatically searches the event-data archive for instances of acoustic sensor data correlating to the at least one representative feature of a gunshot on the known date. Correlating found instances of archived sensor data are provided to the requesting entity, or a trusted third party selected by the requesting entity.

In further reference to FIG. 8, another embodiment provides a process that searches and retrieves certain instances of stored correlated sensor data from an event-data archive. After a start block, the embodiment includes receiving an input selection from an input-selector, similar to the process 220 at block 222. The input selection corresponds to a target-occurrence having a representative feature. A filter corresponding to the representative feature of the target-occurrence is selected. A plurality of instances of occurrence data stored in a data set are filtered for data correlating to the target-occurrence representative feature a using the selected filter. Each instance of the stored occurrence data has a representative feature. An output responsive to the filtering is provided. The process then ends. The filtering step may further include automatically filtering the data stored in the data set. In a further embodiment, the output responsive to the filtering correlates to a target-occurrence representative feature, which is stored in another data set. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the output responsive to the filtering does not correlate to a target-occurrence representative feature. The non-correlating output is stored in anther data set.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps of a process 300 that searches a plurality of instances of event data stored in a data vault or data lock box and provides an output. Each instance of the event data has at least one representative feature, is stored in a digital data storage device, and is protected by an information security measure. The digital data storage device may be a local digital data storage device or a remote digital data storage device. The information security measure may be associated with the digital data storage device, the plurality of instances of stored event data, and/or a computing device having a communication link with the digital data storage device. In another embodiment, the digital data storage device includes a portable digital data storage device, such as an external hard drive, a DVD, a CD, a floppy disk, and a flash memory device. In a further embodiment, the event data includes sensor data generated by a plurality of networked sensor nodes.

The process 300 is similar to the process 220. After a start block, the process 300 moves to block 302. At block 302, an input selection is received from an input selector, the input selection corresponding to a target-event having at least one representative feature. The received input selection further includes an output recipient selection and a tendered access authorization.

At block 304, in response to the tendered access authorization, a decision operation determines if an access right to the plurality of instances of stored event data protected by the information security measure is possessed by at least one of the input-selector and the recipient. If the decision operation determines that either the input-selector and/or the recipient are a trusted entity and posses an access right to the instances of stored event data, the process branches to block 306. If neither the input-selector nor the recipient is a trusted entity, the process branches to the end block. In an alternative embodiment, the input-selector and the recipient must each possess an access right.

At block 306, a pattern recognition criteria is selected corresponding to at least one representative feature of the target event. The criteria is selected in a manner substantially similar to block 128 described in conjunction with FIGS. 5A and 5B, and to block 226 described in conjunction with FIG. 8, including the alternative embodiments.

At block 308, in response to the input selection corresponding to the target event, the plurality of instances of stored event data are automatically searched for data correlating to the at least one target-event representative feature using the selected pattern recognition criteria.

At decision block 312, a decision operation determines if event data correlating to the at least one target-event representative feature was found. If the event data correlating to the target-event representative feature was not found, the process branches to block 316, where a message equivalent to “no data found” is provided. If event data correlating to the target was found, the process branches to block 314. At block 314, an output indicative of the result of the automatic search at block 308 is provided to the recipient.

In a further alternative embodiment of the process 300, the search at block 308 proceeds in response to an input-selector designation of a target tentative event-identifier in a substantially similar manner as the process 200 described in conjunction with FIG. 8.

The process 300, when implemented in a computing device, causes the computing device to perform certain steps. For example, in an embodiment where the process 300 is implemented in a computing device, such as the aggregating computing device 170 of FIG. 6, the instructions are typically stored in a computer readable media, such as the storage media and/or memory of the computing device, and loaded into memory for use.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps of a process 350 providing the output of the block 314 of FIG. 9. The illustrated embodiment includes a set of possible outputs 360 from the output at block 314. The set of possible outputs 360 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a first subset of outputs for event data correlating to the target-event representative feature, and a second subset of outputs for event data not correlating to the target-event representative feature, i.e., non-correlating. The first subset includes a correlating tentative event-identifier 362, a degraded correlating event-data representation 363, and a correlating event data 364. The second subset includes a non-correlating tentative event-identifier 366, a degraded non-correlating event-data representation 367, and a non-correlating event data 368. The process 350 at block 314 includes a default configuration, indicated by solid hierarchal lines 361, that provides the correlating tentative event-identifier 362 and the non-correlating tentative event-identifier 366. In an alternative embodiment, the output configuration provides the degraded correlating event-data representation 363 and the degraded non-correlating event-data representation 367. In another alternative embodiment, the output configuration provides only the correlating event data 364.

At block 314, the initial output is provided to the input-selector and/or recipient in any manner and using any output device, such as being displayed on a monitor of a computing device. For example, the output may include displaying a table having columns that include an event data date, a tentative event identifier, and a correlating/non-correlating status. Individual instances of the plurality of instances of stored event data are individually displayed in rows of the table. For example, in response to a target-event selection of a gunshot, which is event 6 of FIG. 3, one row may display a date of May 17, 2004, a tentative event-identifier of a “gunshot,” and a status of “correlating.” Another row may display the same date of May 17, 2004, a tentative event-identifier of “unknown” because no correlation to a representative feature of a gunshot was found, and a status of “non-correlating.” In an alternative embodiment, the output at block 314 may include a ranking for at least two instances of the correlating event data in a hierarchy of the found correlating event data. For example, if the provided output in the above example includes a plurality of events having “gunshot” tentative event-identifiers, the provided output may further include a relative or absolute ranking based on the acoustic intensity of the respective events as an aid to the recipient in evaluating the event data.

At block 322, an event-data selection is received from the input-selector, who may be the recipient. The selection corresponds to at least one of the instances of event data provided by the process at block 314 and requests provision of more detail related to the provided instances. In the default configuration, the input selection may correspond to a tentative event-identifier. For example, the input selection may request provision of degraded correlating event data corresponding to the event of May 17, 2004, and tentatively identified as gunshot.

At block 324, the selected event data is provided in a form of degraded correlating data. In an embodiment, the degraded correlating event data includes sufficient data for the recipient to make a preliminary determination whether the event appears to be a gunshot. For example the recipient may listen to the degraded data or view a display of a time-frequency analysis of the degraded data. The process 350 then terminates at the end block.

If the recipient possesses an access authorization for the correlating event data 364, the event-data selection may include receiving another input selection that requests that the correlating event-data be provided. The process at block 316 receives the another event-data selection, and at block 318 provides the output. Continuing with the above example, the recipient may request complete event data (364) from all the sensors that correlates to the gunshot.

The process 350, when implemented in a computing device, causes the computing device to perform certain steps. For example, in an embodiment where the process 350 is implemented in a computing device, such as the aggregating computing device 170 of FIG. 6, the instructions are typically stored in a computer readable media, such as the storage media and/or memory of the computing device, and loaded into memory for use.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps of a process 400 that redacts a selected instance of event data from the plurality of instances of stored event data described in conjunction with FIG. 9. After a start block, the process moves to block 402, where a redaction selection and a tendered redaction authorization are received. The redaction selection includes a selection of at least one of the plurality of instances of event data. In an embodiment, the redaction selection may be correlated with the provided output at block 314 of FIGS. 9 and 10. Using the above example where a plurality rows are displayed in a table on a monitor, individual target-event-identifiers may be hyperlinked. This allows an input-selector to select an event for redaction by activating a link in a displayed row.

At block 404, in response to the tendered redaction authorization, a decision operation determines if at least one of the input-selector and the recipient possess a redaction right to the plurality of instances of stored event data protected by the information security measure. If the decision operation determines that either the input-selector and/or the recipient are a trusted entity and posses a redaction right, the process branches to block 406. If neither the input-selector nor the recipient is a trusted entity, the process branches to the end block.

At block 406, the selected event data is redacted from the plurality of instances of the stored event data. The redacted instance of event data may or may not correlate to the at least one target-event representative feature. The process 400 then terminates at the end block.

The process 400, when implemented in a computing device, causes the computing device to perform certain steps. For example, in an embodiment where the process 400 is implemented in a computing device, such as the aggregating computing device 170 of FIG. 6, the instructions are typically stored in a computer readable media, such as the storage media and/or memory of the computing device, and loaded into memory for use.

An exemplary system employing certain embodiments described in conjunction with FIGS. 9-11 may be illustrated using the exemplary system of the three network systems of distributed sensors and the aggregating computing device previously described in conjunction with FIG. 8. Continuing with the previous illustration, the event-data archive associated with the aggregating computing device now contains correlating event data acquired from the three-network system over time, such as a year. The gunshot has resulted in litigation, and the litigants request discovery of correlating event data in the city's data vault, which is the city's event-data archive protected by a security measure. The city is willing to provide relevant instances event data to the litigants and a court, but unwilling to provide other instances of event data based on proprietary and citizen privacy concerns.

A trusted person designated by the court and given an access authorization by the city provides an input selection corresponding to the gunshot event of May 17, 2004. For example, the trusted person may be a neutral expert, an expert witness for a party, and a magistrate. The input selection is received by an archival event-data process described in conjunction with FIGS. 9-11, and a determination made that the trusted person acting as an input-selector possesses an access right to the data vault. In response to the gunshot target-event selection, the archival event-data retrieval process automatically selects a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to at least one representative feature of a gunshot. The archival event-data retrieval process, in response to the gunshot input selection, automatically searches the event-data archive for instances of acoustic sensor data correlating to the at least one representative feature of a gunshot on the known date.

An initial output indicative of the search result is provided to the trusted person. In the exemplary embodiment, the default output configuration described above provides a table displaying the correlating tentative gunshot-identifiers (362) and the non-correlating tentative gunshot-identifiers (366) in rows. The trusted person provides an event-data selection that corresponds to at least one of the instances of tentative gunshot-identifiers initially provided by the process. For example, an initial output may indicate that a plurality of sensors generated acoustical data correlating to at least one representative feature of a gunshot, and the input selector selects three of these instances. The event-data selection is received from the input-selector, and the archival event-data retrieval process provides the trusted person with the three selected instances of degraded correlating event data corresponding to the gunshot. The trusted person listens to the three instances of degraded event data. If the trusted person concludes two of the three instances of event data relate to the gunshot, the trusted person then requests and is provided with the two complete event data for the two instances.

Another embodiment of the exemplary archival event-data process provides a redaction whereby the city through a representative, or the trusted person, may remove certain instances of event data from the plurality of instances of event data in the city's data vault. The redacted data vault may then be given to a third party much like a redacted paper document. Preferably, the city retains a duplicate of their data vault prior to beginning the redaction process. The process includes receiving the redaction selection from the trusted party, and a tender of a redaction authorization. For example, the redaction selection may be formulated in terms of redacting all event data except for the three selected instances of event data correlating to a gunshot. Alternatively, the redaction selection may be inverted to redact only the three selected instances of event data correlating to a gunshot. Since redaction involves alteration of data from the data vault, the city may require a separate redaction right in addition to the access right.

The process determines that the trusted party possesses a redaction right. In response to the redaction selection, all but the three instances of event data are redacted from the data vault. The data vault and the three selected instances of gunshot data stored therein may be made accessible to others involved in the litigation.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit or scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: (a) a data retention device; (b) a plurality of distributed sensor nodes, each respective sensor node operable to sense a parameter; (c) a computing device operable to communicate with the plurality of distributed sensor nodes and to communicate with the data retention device. 